La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
San Geraldo and I sometimes have minds like sieves, but other times we have minds like steel traps. My mind clamps onto odd details and never loses them. Details like the T-shirt I was wearing in 1981 when I met San Geraldo, where I bought it (Macy’s), and how much it cost $1.99 (really). San Geraldo watches videos and can tell you forever how to do important (or not) things. Like disassemble a piano. Survive a spider bite (or why you might not). Or pop a pimple. What I’ve shared today aren’t steel traps but metal building entrances around our neighborhood. Most are combined with glass. Some are mirrored. And some include wood. I’ve never seen such a variety. Many are works of art. I’ve been checking out nice knockers, too, and I’ll share those with you one of these days.
We went to City Hall yesterday. Not the one I practiced walking to, but another building with separate offices for specific issues; in our case, registering as residents of the city. I’m glad I double-checked the location. Things went perfectly. Two women worked with us. San Geraldo spoke Spanish here and there and we all laughed. One woman told me “He may not speak Spanish well, but he’s very entertaining.” She also complimented me on my Spanish and said she would never guess I was American. When I asked what she might guess, she and her colleague both said they would have no idea. I liked that.
After that, the electrician, Jose, whose name I had received through that connection with Elena in Fuengirola (and the green grass grew all around, click here), texted to say he could be here at 5:30. He arrived 5 minutes early! He was charming and installed the kitchen light fixture and three new recessed lights. And all for less than we would pay an electrician in the States simply for showing up. Dudo watched Jose the entire time. At first, I was astounded by his bravery, but he was overdue for a treat and nothing stands in the way. We’re waiting for our new terrace light fixture to arrive at which time Jose will return to do that as well as replace another recessed light outside our bedroom that we don’t like. Speaking of the new terrace light fixture, it just arrived a moment ago. I texted Jose but he can’t get back until next week to install it. I’m waiting for the latest plumber to actually set a date for me. Maybe five times is the charm.
We bought a small carpet cleaner and that arrived yesterday. SG might get to work on our two area rugs before our new sofas arrive later this week. More likely, he’ll wait a while. We have to wait another month, maybe more, for our new comfy chair. Things are definitely coming together. Something new is delivered every day and we can hardly remember what’s coming next. Yesterday, I ordered under-cabinet lights for the kitchen which will arrive today, but the big purchases are done. I might even start sharing photos later this week or early next.
San Geraldo y yo a veces tenemos mentes como coladores, pero otras veces tenemos mentes como trampas de acero. No sé si esta es una expresión en español. Significa una mente bien ágil. Mi mente se aferra a detalles extraños y nunca los pierde. Detalles como la camiseta que llevaba en 1981 cuando conocí a San Geraldo, dónde la compré (Macy’s), y cuánto costó $1.99 (en serio). San Geraldo ve videos y puede decirte para siempre cómo hacer cosas importantes (o no). Como desmontar un piano. Sobrevivir a una picadura de araña (o por qué podría no hacerlo). O reventar un grano. Lo que he compartido hoy no son trampas de acero sino entradas de edificios de metal alrededor de nuestro barrio. La mayoría están combinadas con vidrio. Algunas son de espejo. Y algunas incluyen madera. Nunca he visto tanta variedad. Muchas son obras de arte. También he estado mirando aldabas bonitas, y las compartiré con ustedes uno de estos días.
Fuimos al Ayuntamiento ayer. No al que practiqué caminando, sino a otro edificio con oficinas separadas para asuntos específicos; En nuestro caso, nos registramos como residentes de la ciudad. Me alegro de haber comprobado dos veces la ubicación. Todo salió a la perfección. Dos mujeres trabajaron con nosotros. San Geraldo hablaba español aquí y allá y todos nos reímos. Una mujer me dijo: “Puede que no hable bien español, pero es muy entretenido”. También me felicitó por mi español y dijo que nunca adivinaría que soy estadounidense. Cuando le pregunté qué podría adivinar, ella y su colega dijeron que no tendrían ni idea. Eso me gustó.
Después de eso, el electricista, Jose, cuyo nombre había recibido a través de esa conexión con Elena en Fuengirola (y el césped verde crecía por todas partes, haz clic aquí), me envió un mensaje de texto para decir que podría estar aquí a las 5:30. ¡Llegó 5 minutos antes! Fue encantador e instaló la lámpara de la cocina y tres luces empotradas nuevas. Y todo por menos de lo que pagaríamos a un electricista en los Estados Unidos simplemente por aparecer. Dudo observó a Jose todo el tiempo. Al principio, me sorprendió su valentía, pero ya era hora de que le dieran un aperetivo y nada se interpone en su camino. Estamos esperando que llegue la nueva lámpara de la terraza, momento en el que José volverá para hacerlo y también para reemplazar otra luz empotrada afuera de nuestro dormitorio que no nos gusta. Hablando de la nueva lámpara de la terraza, acaba de llegar hace un momento. Le envié un mensaje de texto a Jose, pero no puede volver hasta la próxima semana para instalarla. Estoy esperando a que el último fontanero me fije una fecha. Tal vez la quinta sea la vencida.
Compramos una pequeña aspiradora de alfombras y llegó ayer. Es posible que SG se ponga a trabajar en nuestras dos alfombras antes de que lleguen nuestros nuevos sofás a finales de esta semana. Lo más probable es que espere un poco. Tenemos que esperar otro mes, tal vez más, para nuestro nuevo y cómodo sillón. Definitivamente, las cosas están tomando forma. Se entrega algo nuevo todos los días y apenas podemos recordar qué viene a continuación. Ayer, pedí luces debajo de los gabinetes para la cocina que llegarán hoy, pero las grandes compras ya están hechas. Incluso podría comenzar a compartir fotos a finales de esta semana o principios de la próxima.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Some of that ironwork is indeed exquisite! Glad you’ve found a reliable electrician — now, may the plumber be next!
Debra:
A great plumber was here yesterday! But his colleague will handle the bigger problems. So, again, we wait.
It must be a really good feeling to be able to communicate so well in Spanish, and for native speakers not to even realize you are American. I am really impressed! Hopefully with the success with the electrician, maybe the luck will continue with the plumber. Those photos are amazing. I love the one with the arch.
Michael:
And yet there are times when I feel like an idiot with my Spanish. A lot depends on my stress levels — and their accents.
It is still very impressive to me. I get the stress however. When I am studying French and have to answer a question generated from the computer, I freeze!
Michael:
I never got that from the computer. But when I did one-on-one online sessions, I did freeze all the time. In-person is so much better and much more fun (sometimes).
Years of trying to learn Italian and I am still in Italian 101. I commend you on your mastery of Español.
Frank:
For me, it took immersion. It would happen quickly for you if you lived in Italy.
You now live in Eye Candy Land!
sillygirl:
In so many ways!
Great doors. Someone in the area must specialize in making them. You know there will be comments about the “nice knockers, why thank you.” After nearly 50 years of study, I speak French like a two year old.
David:
They clearly do a good business! As for the knockers, I take you back to less than a month after our arrival in Spain: https://movingwithmitchell.com/2011/08/01/nice-knockers/
So many doors! Which one do I choose???
Glad things are coming together and cannot wait to see photos of the new home!
Bob:
I can’t wait to feel comfortable sharing photos.
Boud here. What an amazing place you live in, such art everywhere. I don’t know about that guy reflected in the doors though.
Boud:
That guy gave me the creeps. He followed me everywhere.
These ‘doorways/entrances’ are wonderful! Works of art.
It’s like Christmas expecting/forgetting what parcel is on its way! lol
I had to check online for our latest parcel due next week.
Oh, do you think once you get a plumber that he/she could drop by here….we have a kitchen sink to install?
Jim:
Our sofas arrived today. And then two more packages that we had to open to remember. We now have one plumber but he has a colleague to do the rest of the work. I wonder if it will all be done before the new year! If you pay the airfare, I’d bet at least one plumber would be happy to travel.
Great photos of the gorgeous ironwork. When I got to the middle one on the second row I had to take a minute. I have no idea but that one rang some little bell in my head.
Hurray for Jose!
And you know I have to say something about the nice knockers- who doesn’t love a nice knocker? Would Dolly Parton be Dolly Parton without hers?
Moonsigh
Ms. Moonsigh:
I wonder what that reminded you of. I wouldn’t think it would be a common sight in Florida. I do love that one.
I love all those doors. I’m like you when I’m walking around cities and towns….being visual, I take it all in and don’t miss much. Love looking at doors and knockers. Many of these remind me of the brownstones in Philly and many of the entrances to apartment buildings in Rittenhouse Square.
Mistress Borghese:
I’ve never even been to Philly and I’ve never met anyone who didn’t love it.
Nice grilles – but I can’t wait to see your lovely knockers! 🤣🤣🤣 Jx
PS What? No photo of Jose? We deserve to know why Dudo was so entranced…
Jon:
Sorry. I’m keeping Jose to myself!
Glad the light fixture situation was solved! And with no detriment to your budget!
Love the doors. Love all the custom/fab metalwork.
XOXO
Sixpence:
I added under-cabinet lights yesterday. Also not budget breakers. I wish we had a door we could customize like that… well, maybe I don’t. We’re spending enough.
Those doors/gates are lovely. I always wanted to learn to do wrought-iron work and even began a welding class. Unfortunately, life got in the way.
Kelly:
I had a colleague who was so excited to take a welding and metalwork class. I was disappointed when she used her new schools to patch up the body of her car! I’ve always been interested in stained glass.
Sounds like things are looking up again, Scoot. Glad you secured a good electrician and hopefully, an equally able plumber will follow suit.
I’ve always liked ornate wrought iron gates, railings and doors too, though there aren’t many to be found here on the prairies, LOL! The doors in your first photo are fabulous… now I’m looking forward to seeing the best knockers in your new neighbourhood too!
I hope you feature more shots of Moose & Dudo soon — I need a cuteness fix, LOL!
Tundra Bunny:
Moose and Dudo agreed to be in some future posts. I, too, love wrought iron, and this city is filled with unusual things. Plenty more images to come.
Love the doors. Bet not a single one of them is less than 60 years old.
Kirk:
Surprisingly, many of them are contemporary, maybe even nearly new. That pleases me even more. It’s an art that’s very much alive here.
Woo hoo! Congrats on all of this!
So nice to see you in the first picture 🙂 WHAT A DOOR! I love allllll of these!
Judy C (not logged in to the “good” browser –ha!)
Judy C:
This feels like a big week for progress!
Fabulous doors! Doors are fun photo subjects.
Walt the Fourth:
I agree. I’m not the only one snapping photos here.
“I’ve been checking out nice knockers.” Why thank you Herr Doktor.
https://youtu.be/t9K9wiH2Lko?si=09TfJMbsURutpMsw
wickedhamster:
Aren’t we all?!?
My mind’s like a steel trap… rusted shut.
wickedhamster:
That’s what I used to think the expression meant.
Hurrah for things coming together!
Urspo:
And still such a long way to go. But hurray for progress.